Post-'Mission: Impossible': Shaping the Future of Hollywood Action Cinema
Title: The Next Installment of Mission: Impossible Marks a Potential Shift for the Franchise
After three decades, a series of on-screen demises, and a myriad of thrilling stunts, the highly anticipated The Final Reckoning marks the potential conclusion of the Mission: Impossible franchise. As speculation swirls about the future of the series, the question of who will follow in Ethan Hunt's footsteps has lingered.
Tom Cruise, the undisputed face of the series, has consistently reaffirmed his commitment to these films, leaving fans to ponder the possibilities. Rumors circulated during the casting of Jeremy Renner as William Brandt for Ghost Protocol suggesting he might take over as the lead should Cruise retire from the franchise. Although this never materialized, Cruise has shared the screen with additional stars since Ghost Protocol, setting the stage for the introduction of potential successors.
Rebecca Ferguson's Ilsa Faust, introduced in Rogue Nation, became a mirror for Ethan Hunt, showcasing her prowess in high-octane action scenes. Hayley Atwell, who plays Grace, and Henry Cavill, as August Walker, have also captured the attention of audiences with their performance, serving as a litmus test for potential leads.
The upcoming film sees Ethan Hunt assembling a new team, with Hunt splitting off for a deep-sea stunt to investigate a submerged submarine while his friends engage in a battle against Russian special forces on St. Matthew's Island.
With Cruise's unfaltering commitment to the franchise, the series may continue its trajectory of building upon its predecessors, with Ethan Hunt remaining in the lead role until his physical capabilities dictate otherwise.
Alternatively, Cruise has signed on for a deal to develop and produce films under Warner Bros., which could potentially allow Mission: Impossible to continue without him. This would provide audiences time to miss Ethan Hunt, while simultaneously paving the way for a new or returning set of characters to capture their attention. This could culminate in a grand return for Cruise, giving both him and the studio the opportunity to create a significant legacy sequel.
Absent this scenario, the void left by the potential end of Mission: Impossible could pave the way for a new generation of action spy films, exemplified by the surge of female-fronted action movies and the trend towards practical stuntwork. Cruise has consistently advocated for emerging actors to immerse themselves in the art of stuntwork, even creating separate workshops for the actors involved in The Final Reckoning and Top Gun: Maverick.
Several actors have recently caught the action bug, with Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh embarking on ambitious action projects. If studios are willing to support these aspirations, audiences could be treated to a new wave of tactile, high-octane thrillers.
As the Mission: Impossible franchise approaches a potential turning point, industry watchers will be keen to see how the series navigates this productive yet challenging juncture. The next steps for the franchise remain uncertain, but one thing is clear: the bar for action-packed entertainment will remain high.
- Gizmodo's article on the latest installment of Mission: Impossible highlights a potential future for the franchise beyond Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt, pointing to new stars like Rebecca Ferguson, Hayley Atwell, and Henry Cavill who have already made impressions in the series.
- If Tom Cruise steps away from the Mission: Impossible franchise, Io9 predicts that a new wave of action spy films could emerge, with young actors like Dev Patel, Simu Liu, and Florence Pugh poised to lead the charge.
- Following the potential conclusion of the Mission: Impossible franchise, various entertainment outlets, such as Gizmodo and Movies-and-TV, speculate on a shift towards more female-fronted action movies and a renewed focus on practical stuntwork in the future of action-packed entertainment.
